Busy Life...and Possible Good News

My life is always so busy in November and December! I work at Hickory Farms every year to save up a little extra money. Instead of helping us afford Christmas, this year it all is being saved for when the twins are born! I didn't realize working two jobs while pregnant would tire me out so much though. Enough about why I didn't post immediately, I'll get on to the news every one is waiting for! I saw my babies again on Monday. They are both healthy and developing normal. And.... there is a chance that they are in two sacs after all! The doctor said it is sometimes are to tell with early ultrasounds, but this time there was a very, very faint line seperating the babies. Since all I have are 3D pictures this time, I don't have one of the line to show. (That shows how thin it was!) While the doctor said we didn't have to go see the specialist, we still will just in case. A new machine, a fresh pair of eyes, and all that good stuff. If they are in two sacs, no hospital stay! I can have them in my hometown. If we don't find the membrane again, then the specialist will have the answers for when I start my stay since I will be having them there instead of here.

You can see one baby clearly and the other one's butt.

We think we see the head poking out from behind the other's back.

Oh Boy!

I went in for another appointment on Tuesday to see my twins. It appears that they are sharing a sac! This adds a lot more risks to the equation. By sharing a sac, and thus a placenta, they can become entangled not only in their own cords, but in each others. One could also compress the other's cord and cause multiple problems and possible death. There is also the chance of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) where one twin receives more nutrients than the other and you end up with possible stunted growth and/or retardation. In December, I'll be going to see the high risk doctor in Billings, Montana (since there isn't enough business to keep one here) to get his opinion. If we still can't find a membrane dividing the twins, then I will be going into the Billings hospital at 7 months to stay until the doctors decide that it too risky for me to carry my babies anymore. It is an added procaution, so that if something is going wrong the twins can be taken out immediately. Since there is a slew of problems that can happen during birth, they will be taken out by c-section. They don't want to take any chances with a natural birth.

Other than that worry being added to my plate, the twins are healthy and moving around. One of them waved at the screen for us. The doctor did a little 3D imagery, although I don't have a picture of it, and they looked so cute! While they are identical, they are two seperate babies. That is nice to know. If the egg had split any later, they might have been conjoined (siamese). We are grateful for our two little miracles and pray for their healthy growth!

B-bump, B-bump and another B-bump, B-bump

Well, I got a positive test a few weeks ago. I waited to tell everyone (though I had a hard time keeping it in) until I had been to the doctor's. I went in today for my first appointment and to be able to hear my baby's heartbeat. My husband and I were shocked when we heard TWO heartbeats. Twins do not run in my family at all, on either side, so it is very shocking that I will be having twins. We are on cloud nine here in the Schneck house.

Knowledge is Power

I just got the email last night. My finicial aid was approved which means I can go back to school! This is very exciting for me. When I went before, I had too many negative distractions in my life, so I did need the time I took off. But now, I'm ready to go again. I'm planning on going for a dual major of English and Secondary Education. Hopefully, I'll be able to find a job in it when I graduate. That would give me the same hours as any children my husband and I have. And, I would be able to leave my current job, which is stressing me out to no end!

He is getting up there!

I want to have at leasta one post every month, but I couldn't think of anything exciting happening this month...until I remembered that today is my husband's birthday! He turns 30 today. We were hoping to have at least one child by now. I have a year to pop one out. We wanted one before he turned 30, because now he would be 40 when the kid turned 10. He thinks of himself as an old man already. While I fully enjoy teasing him about his age, I also have to remind him that 30 isn't old anymore. 40 isn't considered old any more either. With so many reaching 100 years old, it takes reaching 50 to really be over the hill, since that would be closer to half way. So, here is to another year in my old man's life. I love you, honey!

It's Official!

Yesterday, after lost of sweat and hard work, we finally got everything moved out of my mother-in-law's house. It is so nice to have a place of my own. My mom brought in all of my dishes that had been gathering dust in my parent's garage for the last eight months. I didn't realize how much I missed them! We didn't hear any dogs barking or cats meowing all night, and definitely didn't have to deal with the smell. I've come to realize one doesn't appreciate the space one has until it's gone. I'm just glad we were able to move out before I did something regretful. There are a few odds and ends still there and we have to clean our rooms, but on the whole, we are out. I had a lot of help from our home and visiting teachers. It would have taking us even longer without them!

Just a Little Longer

So much has happened since I last posted. My husband and I decided we couldn't wait until we saved up enough to buy a place, so on June 1st, we move into a trailer that we will be renting. I got a false positive last month. I've lost 17 pounds! And, the doctor told me that if I'm not pregnant in four months he is going to start me on Clomid. Whew, and that's not even half of it! The business that my mom and I started, Sew Totally Spool, has over 30 followers on Facebook (facebook.com/sewtotallyspool). My mother-in-law isn't speaking to me (big plus!). And, the dogs are still alive, even with my husband threatening to get rid of them everyday! Life has been busy, and hopefully soon, it'll get busier!

The Waiting Goes On

So, we were looking at the cost of houses and trailers for fun the other day, and my hubby and I realized that for the price of a house (nothing newer than 1934, mind you) we could buy a new trailer and stick it on a lot. Which of course, means that that is what my husband wants to do. Which means living here for another 6 months to a year. Which I can do, unless I get pregnant. Life seems to always put contrary facts in front you, doesn't it? We are shooting for 6 months, but I might have to put my foot down if I get pregnant before then. And if the smell really really bothers me while I am. So, here is to hoping for the best on my journey....and really hoping it all works out close to plan!

Enough is Enough!

So, my husband and I have decided to move. We can't take the animals anymore. We're on the waiting list for a place within the same area as my mother-in-law lives. She was able to find a job that works, so I'm sure she doesn't need our help with the house payment anymore. Even though it will be two months before something comes open, I'm already dreaming of not hearing "Stop Stasha Stop" anymore, no longer hearing meowing outside my door for hours, and having space! I'm glad we were able to help her out, but three years...what was I thinking!?! Anyways, in a few months, we hope to have a place of our own. I think it would be a lot easier to be pregnant and have kids in our own place, not in a house forever smelling of dogs urine.

Keeping Myself on Track

I went to a dietition on Tuesday to get some help getting my health under control. She introduced me to this free site that is incredible! I put in my wieght and height, and the site calculated how many calories I would need to cut back on. Then, I plug in what I eat everyday. A lot of foods are already in the system. It does the math for me! It tells me what I'm eating too much of or too little of. I know I shouldn't use my blog to advertise something, but it really is a nice site. It also follows your exercise and has articles on health issues. The site has special programs within it for certain diseases as well. So....go sign up! http://www.sparkpeople.com/. By the way, the person that referred you is amschneck. (I get bonus points for referrals!)

Well, That Answers That Question

I went to the doctor's yesterday. I had blood work done and an ultrasound of my ovaries. I gave so much blood! I'm very happy that I didn't faint thought. Usually, the second I feel the needle hit my vein, I pass out. They would have had to start over with a new needle. Ugh! The doctor didn't hae the results back by the time I had my untrasound, but the ultrasound answered the question of why I'm having trouble getting pregnant. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is where the body produces too much of certain hormones that cause cysts on the ovaries, as well as prevent ovulation. It was really interesting being able to watch the ultrasound. The doctor used the computer to show my my ovaries and uterus, and used the program to measure them. One ovary was so covered in cysts it looked black. I'm now taking medication to help my body control the hormones and get rid of the cysts. I don't know how long it'll take, but I should get pregnant by the end of the year. I hate that there really was a problem, but it is nice to know that I can do something about it!

Building a Business

My mom and I have always loved sewing. Bags, clothes, toys, you name it, we've sewn it. So, we've decided to try to make money with our hobby. We are doing bag, purses, and 18" (american girl) doll clothes for now. I've been thinking about making a Facebook business page for it, but I have to come up with a name first. Who knew creating a label for your business was this difficult! Every name that we think will work well is taken. We want something unique and us. Opinion time! I am going to post all the names that my mom and I have come up with that we like that no one else has and leave a note in the comments to put in your vote! The names are:
rhonda.amy
Big Horn Crafts
Big Horn Sewing
Sewing Maniacs
Sew Like Crazy
Sew Totally Spool

An Apple a Day Doesn't Mean You Can Avoid a Doctor

On Monday, I had my first doctor visit in six or seven years. I got my first pap smear and when my next period comes, I go in for more testing. The pap smear wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be. A bit uncomfortable perhaps, but it didn't hurt. I'm not looking forward to the additional testing though. It means having my blood drawn, which is not my favorite thing. I mean, how could you enjoy something that makes you pass out? Yes, it's true. Everytime I've had my blood drawn, I've pass out. But, I need to go through all of it. If I need to take drugs to help my get pregnant, then that it what I will do!

Working Out in a Group

My husband and I got a membership to our local YMCA last week. Today, we took my mother-in-law with us to work out. She stays at home all day and it can't be good for her physically (she's old and it stiffens her joints) or emotionally (she finds daily reminders of my late father-in-law). Also today, I have figured out that when working out with multiple people it is very hard to keep pace. The courteous thing to do is to keep pace with the slowest person, but that doesn't work very well when that forces one to cut the workout in half. My usual is a mile around a track and 20 minutes on a bike. Today I did half a mile and 5 minutes on the bike. I love my mother-in-law to pieces. She is a wonderful woman, but I need to get fit if I'm ever going to be able to carry a baby!

Not Right in the Head

I had to work later than usual last night, and I got really bored and my mind started to wonder. To bring it back on track, I wrote this poem:

There once was a woman who worked with bread
She was not right in the head
She worked late into the night
Giving herself quite a fright
She thought she saw the dead
Wandering through the racks of bread
So she went home to bed
That woman that wasn't right in the head

Apparently, I need to get more sleep at night. Either that or find a different job!

New Year's Resolutions 2011

A coworker asked me the other day, as a way to pass the time, what my five new year's resolutions would be. It got me thinking: a lot can, and usually does, happen in a year. Of all the things I would like to change, what should I focus on this year? After thinking on it a couple days, this is what I came up with:
1. Lose at least 50 pounds. Losing weight now would make it easier for when there is a bun in the oven.
2. Exercise at least 2 hours a week. Really, that's just a little over 15 minutes a day. I can handle that.
3. Go to church every Sunday. Our work schedule has finally made it so we can. So, why not?
4. Cut out coffee. Once I'm pregnant, I can't have any anyway.
5. Be a full-tithe payer. It's only 10%, and everything on Earth is His anyway, so why not?

I'm hoping I'll be able to stay on top of all of this. I'll look back at the end of this year and see how well I did!